Focus Arse 500

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Rope-Pusher
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Focus Arse 500

Post by Rope-Pusher »

From Autoline Daily

"FORD FOCUS RS500
Earlier this year I found myself in southern France, right along the Cote d’Azur, just outside Nice. That’s where Ford was holding the international media launch for the C-Max and Grand C-Max. Turns out that they also had a Ford Focus RS 500 at the event. It wasn’t part of the official media launch, but if you knew to ask, a few of us were allowed to take it out. Here’s my impression of it, out on the road.

At first, the RS doesn’t seem to be all that special. The exhaust note sounds kind of subdued. The acceleration seems good, but not great. But then you open it up, and wow! Now you know what they mean by Rallye Sport.

This car instantly gives you a high degree of confidence. The tires stick. The brakes stop. The seats keep you locked in place.



Though it doesn’t come across in the video, the exhaust note makes a great pop when you bang off a shift or drop off the gas. Just like a real rally car.

This car makes you want to go out and hunt down unsuspecting prey. And pity the fool who doesn’t know what a Focus RS is. They won’t know what hit them.

I really didn’t want to bring the car back to Ford. I wanted to just keep on going. I would love to spend more time with this car, and I can only hope that the Focus ST that Ford will bring to the ‘States is anywhere close to being like the RS

The 500 in Focus RS500 means they only made 500 of them. It has a turbocharged, 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 345 horsepower. It’s priced at £27,000, which at today’s exchange rate translates into $41,600. But even if you have the money, that doesn’t mean you can buy a new one. This car is completely sold out."

Not your bargain variety Focus, but then magic doesn't come cheap, right? Still, you have to think what else you might buy for just North of $40K. Maybe a Vette?
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4onthefloor
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Re: Focus Arse 500

Post by 4onthefloor »

Europe always gets the better versions of cars, especially the Focus. My Focus is a nice car but it's got nothing on the European spec Focus.
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Tups
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Re: Focus Arse 500

Post by Tups »

I saw one of those live earlier this year, one of two or so in Finland. First I thought that someone had just bought the regular RS and added some funky matte-black paint job and a body kit, but then I found out that it's an actual factory model and it was more powerful than the regular Focus RS.

It was actually quite neat.

Still, they should've made it AWD.
2007 Ford Focus ST225
1982 Ford Escort Mk3
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